Facebook is working on a “dislike” button and they say it is to be used to build empathy. I looked up empathy just to be sure.
Empathy, noun, the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
Wait a minute. If I share your feelings, don’t I “like” them? And if I don’t like them, if I am a truly empathetic, don’t I at least try to find some part of what you are saying to like? So “dislike” and “empathy” don’t play in the same sandbox for me. In fact I can’t even reconcile the supposed effort on Facebook’s part to describe the “dislike” button as a way to agree that yes there are bad things in the world and I too dislike them. It feels like too much of a downer or double negative or even just a no-good-very-bad-way of bringing people together. I like “like”. In fact I even more like “LOVE”. Let’s make a LOVE button. Let’s ratchet up those simmering emotions, turn them on high and let them loose on the world. Because I plain and simple don’t believe that you can create true and lasting harmony over a shared “dislike”. Nope. I insist, to be certain, that it takes a whole lot of love.
In fact, the more time I spend in this business of building nests for families to thrive in, couples to soar in, human beings to feel safe in, the more I know it to be about love. Making love, being in love, loving, cherishing, supporting, rising, trying, defining, believing, failing, recuperating, adjusting, playing, working, hurting, healing. It all takes a hefty dose of first absolutely loving. It’s almost like love is poured into the foundations we build, snuck in with the strapping behind the plaster, laid to rest in the hardwood floors. Maybe this is heavy handed but A. you and I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for a little love at some point along the line and B. we wouldn’t stay here if we didn’t experience the flutter in our chest or the dedication to our cause or the apples of our eyes.
And so when a client calls—when another human being calls and asks us to build a place for them to house their love we respond with enthusiasm. It’s what we are all about. We love to build. We love craft. We love great design and cool products and brilliant trades. And most of all, we love consulting and educating and listening just as we do with the people in our lives that we already love…because we want to express empathy. We see you. We hear you. We understand and share your feelings. Not because we’re soft; quite the contrary! Where there is love there is passion. Where there is passion there is no stopping, no failing, no alternative. It simply becomes our duty to guide you towards and position you for excellence and success in the creation of your home. Your space. Where you love to be.
And quite honestly, we think this is the right way to live in a world that asks social media to define what is “likeable”…or “dislikeable”.
It’s been awhile since I last wrote so I just wanted to spread the LOVE!
From my heart to yours, always,
Allison
